Acoustic Guitar Construction

A port does help the player hear the guitar, but it also takes away from the guitar's ability to throw the sound forward and project. But for most modern players, that is not an issue.

That is what my little experience tells me too. I use my guitar on the couch, most of the time. And there it works great for me. Maybe the size of the port does matter. Maybe a big hole decreases the projection more than a little one. I don't know, just a thought.

it may be all in my mind, but I like a resonable port. I have played one with a big port, and one with a small port and I notice quite a bit of difference....I don't care for the large or multi ported guitars, however, because I have only 10% hearing in one ear, the port does help me.
Then, so would a good pickup system. Most of my playing today is for myself or informal small acoustic gatherings..(Two or three....no more than 4) and within 5 to 10 feet feet of each other. I don't think the pickup cost of $300 or so is warranted.
I definitely hear better with the port...(Or so I think anyway) the one I am STILL working on (My first one) I put in a 2" port on the top of the upper bout for the same reason. My Cousin has hearing problems and I think it will help her...or at least she thinks so too. If she is happy, then I'm happy! And so it goes with a customer also I would think.
I think she will wind up with a quality pickup system before it's over, although she likes to use a boomed mike with her guitar in big areas, so who knows.
Is it real...or is it imagined? Hummm, beats me...different strokes for different folks...unless they are over done, I don't think it hurts much.
The larger sound hole for the "D's" which began with Clarence White and Tony Rice...(Same guitar) fame...is over rated in my opinion...and I don't even know the difference...but I can't tell or actually "Hear" any difference...I think it's the guitar...it's age and history that may make a difference if there is any at all! IMHO

My everyday guitar has a sound port. I have never heard it without a sound port so I have no way to compare it value. The guitar does sound good to me while I play it, and I am almost always the only one that hears my playing. Also every time I show the guitar to anyone I get to describe what the extra hole is. It makes the guitar easier to show off.

I would have no problem paying $100 extra on a guitar with the feature on a custom guitar with a base price of around $3000 if only that it looks cool. It would be one of many features that show the craft of the builder and allow the instrument to stand out. My level of play is such that a well setup factory made mid-range guitars would server my playing needs as well as any high quality hand made instrument. If I decided to use my discretionary money on a custom guitar, I would spend it on something I could show off.

If one goes to a guitar shop to buy a pre made instrument there a lot of features that people pay for that have nothing to do with the audio quality or at least in audio quality that is relevant to the buyer. Fancy rosettes, inlays, binding types or even bindings.

John Greven seemly bemoans the fact that a lot of luthiers are spending effort in the art of woodworking. Making furniture rather than musical instrument. I suspect the reality is that the vast majority of guitars spend way more time as furniture than they do as musical instruments. Why shouldn't the furniture aspect of the instrument be addressed. I am sure John's guitar sound great, but they also make very handsome furniture. He has spent quite a bit of time and effort mastering the art of woodworking.

If a guitar sounds better to the player with a sound port it may be worth it even at the expense of projection or whatever. Most guitars are never going to be in a situation where concert level performance is required. Building a guitar that sounds good to the guy sitting on the couch is not missing the point, it is addressing a real market.

OK, time for real science. SOUNDS!! I strum my ported guitar on my lap. With the mic next to my ear. Directly after the strum, I cover the port(s) with my hand. Directly after that I'll take it off.

Listen with a good headset or otherwise decent equipment. You'll hear the differences.

http://hermanarendsenguitars.nl/mp3/soundport.mp3

All good points John.

John Greven needs zero defending and frankly has little use for forums -- but his guitars are made for the most part for performing artists as an example http://www.grevenguitars.com/jumbo.html not the coach sitters. And his goal is for a very "woody" versus "stringy" sound quality. In other words I know he has no interest what's so ever of making furniture or decorations (which he still thinks is just fine). But rather for him it is simply all about a (his) certain tonal quality that his customers are seeking/expecting.

I think Greven's guitars are great and have used articles on his website for guidance for a long time. He has way more experience, understanding of guitars and woodworking skills than I can ever hope to have. His site is well worth visiting. I use his article on voicing (looks more like class notes) as one of my references. I just found his comment on missing the point was a bit sanctimonious. Although his focus is undoubtedly on sound he does guitar porn with the best of the luthiers.

There was one comment he made on side ports ...

I would not have thought large side ports or small top ports was a good idea, but I have played enough
really fine modern guitars with these features to know that they can work well.

Herman wrote:OK, time for real science. SOUNDS!! I strum my ported guitar on my lap. With the mic next to my ear. Directly after the strum, I cover the port(s) with my hand. Directly after that I'll take it off.

Listen with a good headset or otherwise decent equipment. You'll hear the differences.

http://hermanarendsenguitars.nl/mp3/soundport.mp3

Maybe that's my problem, I can't hear a difference in the 2 strums:)